Where do you camp?
Even though they are invited to sit at the King’s table as His heirs, God’s children may choose to live in places of unbelief, disobedience, bitterness or discontent. This week’s lesson looks at the problems Israel faced because they didn’t believe. They chose to “camp” in places they didn’t belong, like Kadesh, which represented their spiritual state of unbelief. May God speak to our hearts as we study this story about the twelve spies who explored the Promised Land.
Read Numbers 13:26-33
1. How did the ten unbelieving spies voice their fears in verses 28, 31-33?
Read Numbers 14:1-9
2. How did Caleb and Joshua, the two faith-filled spies, voice their faith in verses 7-9?
Read Numbers 14:21-24, 30-35
3. How did God say He would punish the people for their unbelief in verses 22-23?
4. What does God say about Caleb’s faith from verse 24?
5. What exception does God make in verse 30?
I believe that Kadesh represented a place of fear, unbelief and lost opportunities for Israel. They camped there while awaiting the report from the spies about the land God had already promised to give them as His chosen people, His heirs. Yet they chose to believe the negative reports and saw themselves as grasshoppers who could not fight the giants of the land. Caleb and Joshua knew God was with them to conquer it. They lived in a state of faith. This story is written as an example to us today. Let’s not be hindered by unbelief but let’s camp in the place of faith, knowing we are chosen, called, and accepted by God as heirs to the Throne. Where are you camping today? In a place of fear and bitterness or a place of faith and trust that the Lord of Angel Armies is always by our side! Draw close to God in intimate communion. He is the One who overrules the tactics of the enemy and works all things for our ultimate good.
The spies brought back the good things about the land they wanted to possess – it was full of all good things until they were told to get ready to possess the land – then they changed their story and were filled with fear – the men were much stronger than they were – we sometimes are afraid of what GOD tells us to do in our lives and we have doubts – if only we would trust in GOD to the very end and not let doubts take over our lives. The 2 faith filled spies – Joshua and Caleb wanted to go ahead and possess the land because the LORD was on their side and would be with them through it all – they believed the milk and honey was theirs because the LORD was with them all the way – If only we would believe those words each time we have a battle over some small things – GOD is so good to us. GOD told them they would not see the land or possess it – that would be their punishment for unbelief. Then started the 40 years of living in the wilderness just because of their unbelief – like of faith – GOD was with them that believed the good reports – All of us need to dwell on the good things in our lives as they are given to us by GOD – GOD is still on the throne and HE loves you and I – so let us camp in the places where the LORD leads you and I – what a wonderful lesson and so many things to think about for lots of days – Dwell on the word of GOD at all times – Thanks Karen